The Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN) has welcomed the launch of Rural Health Conversations, a new podcast series supporting rural health professionals and strengthening Western Australia’s rural health workforce.
Developed collaboratively by Western Australia’s four University Departments of Rural Health (UDRH), the podcast features rural health professionals sharing practical insights, lived experience and advice on supervising students in rural and remote settings.
The participating WA UDRHs are the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health (WACRH), University Department of Rural Health South West (UDRH SW), Goldfields University Department of Rural Health (GUDRH), and Majarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health.
WACRH Senior Lecturer Kathryn Fitzgerald said WA UDRHs recognise the vital role rural health professionals play in supporting students.
“Many health professionals are looking for practical ways to build confidence and skills as supervisors, but they are also incredibly busy,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“We developed this podcast to be accessible and easy to engage with, even during a busy workday.”
ARHEN Chief Executive Officer Joanne Hutchinson said the podcast demonstrates the collective leadership and shared commitment of WA’s UDRHs to advancing rural health education.
“Rural Health Conversations is a great example of collaboration in action,” Ms Hutchinson said.
“By working together, the WA UDRHs have created an engaging, practical resource that values the expertise of rural health professionals and supports those supervising the next generation of health professionals.”
Supported through ARHEN funding, the podcast aims to provide accessible health professional education for current and aspiring rural health practitioners.
Across the series, guests explore the opportunities and challenges of supervising allied health and nursing students undertaking rural placements.
Ms Hutchison emphasised the importance of high-quality supervision in building a sustainable rural health workforce.
“Positive rural placement experiences play a key role in encouraging students to return to work in these communities,” she said.
“This podcast supports rural health professionals by sharing real-world perspectives and practical tools they can use in their own settings.”
Rural Health Conversations is aimed at rural health professionals who supervise and those who may be considering future supervision roles.
The podcast series is available now on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6PGVezNZMRal9oBwMiG01P